Cornhusker Lesson for Biden: Get In the Game

Vice President Joe Biden speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington in June.

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This isn’t a story about Nebraska politics or Cornhusker football. It’s about the 2016 Democratic presidential race. Stay with us for a moment, though.

In 2005, a nondescript looking Nebraska politician named Dave Heineman became governor when incumbent Mike Johanns took a job in then-President George W. Bush’s cabinet.

The following year he faced a primary challenge from a Nebraska legend: Tom Osborne, a Republican congressman and, more importantly, the former head football coach at the University of Nebraska. Mr. Osborne had captured three national championships in his quarter century coaching a team that is the state’s biggest sporting draw.

“Running against God is tough,” Mr. Heineman recalls.

Neb. Gov. Dave Heineman, right, holds up the Nebraska state quarter, with Tom Osborne looking on, during a gubernatorial debate in April 2006.

Associated Press

Yet he ran – and won. He beat Mr. Osborne, won the general election and is governor to this day.

So Mr. Heineman has a piece of advice for Vice President Joe Biden and perhaps others considering a run against Democratic Party icon Hillary Clinton: Take the plunge.

“I can only use my own experience,” Mr. Heineman said in an interview during the National Governors Association’s summer meeting. “If I didn’t believe in myself or didn’t believe I could win, I wouldn’t be here today. Because everybody said I couldn’t beat Tom Osborne.”

Polls suggest Mrs. Clinton is virtually unbeatable, too. The former secretary of state is lapping Mr. Biden and every other potential 2016 Democratic candidate. So formidable is she that it’s possible no one of any political stature will challenge her for the nomination. Not Mr. Biden. Not Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and not Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator and darling of the left.

Democrats appear to be in a place where they consider it bad form even to publicly suggest Mrs. Clinton should be tested in the primaries.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, asked whether he’d like to see competition for the party nomination, said any answer would be “conjecture.”

“Usually that just gets me in trouble,” the Democratic governor added.

In the hallways and restaurants near the NGA conference meeting rooms, though, some Democratic privately allowed they’d like to see a real race for the nomination. Their view: Mrs. Clinton shouldn’t be treated to a “coronation.”

One who is open about calling for a competitive primary is the governor from Mr. Biden’s home state.

Delaware Democrat Jack Markell said: “We’re all well served when candidates have a chance to lay out their competing visions. We get to hear the candidates talk about them and explain where they’re coming from. That’s healthy.”

Anyone who takes on Mrs. Clinton would have a tough time of it. She’ll have money, name recognition, a strong resume and a network of top campaign professionals.

Is it worth the shot? In Nebraska, Tom Osborne was as daunting a figure as is Mrs. Clinton nationally. Here’s a bit of campaign wisdom from the man who defeated the storied coach.

“He ought to run,” Mr. Heineman said of Mr. Biden. “He ought to get out there and say, ‘I’m the vice president. I’m going to run and Secretary Clinton, if you want to run, you’re going to have a spirited debate.’ ”

Mr. Biden was in town last week and gave a lengthy speech to the governors. He talked for more than an hour. Mr. Heineman was in the room, listening. Another piece of advice from Mr. Heineman: Shorten the speeches.

“The longer you talk as an elected official, the more likely you’re going to get in trouble,” Mr. Heineman says with a laugh.

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